Continued growth in internet access by Australian farms:ABS (Media Release)

Continued growth in internet access by Australian farms:ABS

The percentage of Australian farms with access to the Internet continues to increase according to results from a June 2002 survey released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). An estimated 48% of farms had access to the Internet, up by 14% since June 2000. Farm access to a computer increased by 4%, to 62%, in the same time period.

Not all farms with computer and Internet access used these technologies for business purposes. Figures showed more than 9 in 10 farms with access to the Internet and more than 4 in 5 with access to a computer used these technologies for business purposes.

Western Australia reported the highest proportion of farms using a computer (63%) and the highest proportion using the Internet (54%), while Victoria reported the lowest proportions, with 49% and 39% respectively.

Other state figures for computer and Internet use respectively are New South Wales 52% and 43%, Queensland 51% and 41%, South Australia 60% and 51%, Tasmania 50% and 40%, Northern Territory 53% and 45% and Australian Capital Territory 53% and 48%.

The poultry farming industry reported the highest proportion of farms using the Internet (50%), while the grain, sheep and beef cattle farming and dairy cattle farming industries reported the lowest proportion of farms using the Internet ( both 41%). Other industry figures are horticulture and fruit growing 49%, other livestock farming 47% and other crop growing 49%.

There was a strong relationship between farm size, as measured by the estimated value of agricultural operations, and the use of a computer and the Internet. As farm size increased so did the proportion of farms using a computer and the Internet.

Further information can be found in Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia (cat. no. 8150.0).